Latest news with #BoardofVisitors
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
UVA president resigns under pressure from Trump administration, per reports
The New York Times is reporting that James Ryan, the president of the University of Virginia, will resign following pressure from President Donald Trump's administration. The school's board of visitors voted in March to dissolve UVA's Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Partnerships. 'The Board of Visitors voted for common sense, saying 'no' to illegal discrimination and 'yes' to merit-based opportunity,' Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said at the time. 'DEI is done at the University of Virginia. We stand for the universal truth that everyone is created equal, and opportunity is at the heart of Virginians' and Americans' future.' Still, reports said the Department of Justice felt Ryan mispresented the steps he'd taken to eliminate the programs, and the Trump administration had pushed for his removal. At the time this story was published, UVA has not released an official statement on Ryan's resignation, but the New York Times obtained a letter to the head of the Board of Visitors saying he submitted his resignation. More: $15 million mental health crisis and detox facility to open near Augusta Health Democrats Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both United States Senators from Virginia, released a joint statement on Ryan's decision. 'Virginia's economy and prosperity depend on the strength and integrity of our higher education system,' the senators said. 'It is outrageous that officials in the Trump Department of Justice demanded the Commonwealth's globally recognized university remove President Ryan — a strong leader who has served UVA honorably and moved the university forward—over ridiculous 'culture war' traps. 'Decisions about UVA's leadership belong solely to its Board of Visitors, in keeping with Virginia's well-established and respected system of higher education governance. This is a mistake that hurts Virginia's future.' Later, in a press call with Virginia reporters, Kaine called the move "a sad day for Virginia" and suggested that Ryan stepped down because he did not have the backing of the UVA Board to stand up to the administration. He urged other college boards across Virginia to stick to their appointed roles of overseeing those who run their colleges and back them to the hilt. "If you're on a board, you have to have the back of your president and stand strong," Kaine said. He likened the move to a test of loyalty to the Trump Administration. "It's like they now have a pelt and they are proud of it," Kaine said. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Virginia, said in a statement that the move by the administration goes against every foundation on which UVA was built. 'Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia to serve as a bastion of academic freedom for students to engage in intellectual curiosity without fear of censorship or retaliation. He viewed education as a shield against tyranny," McClellan said. "The bullying of his beloved university by President Trump and his Justice Department are the exact brand of government overreach he feared. University leaders should be accountable to the university community and its governing bodies, not subjected to political pressure from the president of the United States.' More: Augusta County residents speak out against Pride event cancellation — Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@ or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI. This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: UVA president resigns under pressure from Donald Trump, per reports
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
University of Virginia Chief Exits Under Pressure From Trump
University of Virginia President James Ryan is stepping down amid a Trump administration probe of the school's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, according to people familiar with the matter. Ryan informed university leadership of his resignation on a hastily-called meeting over Zoom, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussion was private. 'I thank President Ryan for his service and his hard work on behalf of the University of Virginia,' Glenn Youngkin, the state's Republican governor, said in a statement. 'The Board of Visitors has my complete confidence as they swiftly appoint a strong interim steward, and undertake the national search for a transformational leader,' he wrote. Ryan's departure from Virginia's flagship university underscores the pressure on US higher education from President Donald Trump, whose administration has scrapped federal funding for Harvard University and other schools and begun investigations of colleges for 'race-exclusionary' practices. The New York Times, which first reported the resignation, said late Thursday that the Justice Department had demanded Ryan's exit as a condition of settling a civil rights investigation of the University of Virginia's diversity practices. Ryan, the school's ninth president, developed a reputation as a champion of diversity while drawing fire from conservative alumni and Republican board members for being 'too woke,' the newspaper said. Ryan, who earned a law degree at the University of Virginia, took the reins at the institution in 2018 and previously served as dean of Harvard's Graduate School of Education. In March, the governing board voted to abolish the school's diversity, equity and inclusion office. Youngkin this week appointed four new members to the board. They include a vice chairman at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and a former chief financial officer of Carlyle Group Inc., the private equity firm where Youngkin previously worked as co-chief executive officer. The University of Virginia didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
UVA president resigns under pressure from Trump administration, per reports
The New York Times is reporting that James Ryan, the president of the University of Virginia, will resign following pressure from President Donald Trump's administration. The school's board of visitors voted in March to dissolve UVA's Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Partnerships. 'The Board of Visitors voted for common sense, saying 'no' to illegal discrimination and 'yes' to merit-based opportunity,' Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said at the time. 'DEI is done at the University of Virginia. We stand for the universal truth that everyone is created equal, and opportunity is at the heart of Virginians' and Americans' future.' Still, reports said the Department of Justice felt Ryan mispresented the steps he'd taken to eliminate the programs, and the Trump administration had pushed for his removal. At the time this story was published, UVA has not released an official statement on Ryan's resignation, but the New York Times obtained a letter to the head of the Board of Visitors saying he submitted his resignation. More: $15 million mental health crisis and detox facility to open near Augusta Health Democrats Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both United States Senators from Virginia, released a joint statement on Ryan's decision. 'Virginia's economy and prosperity depend on the strength and integrity of our higher education system,' the senators said. 'It is outrageous that officials in the Trump Department of Justice demanded the Commonwealth's globally recognized university remove President Ryan — a strong leader who has served UVA honorably and moved the university forward—over ridiculous 'culture war' traps. 'Decisions about UVA's leadership belong solely to its Board of Visitors, in keeping with Virginia's well-established and respected system of higher education governance. This is a mistake that hurts Virginia's future.' Later, in a press call with Virginia reporters, Kaine called the move "a sad day for Virginia" and suggested that Ryan stepped down because he did not have the backing of the UVA Board to stand up to the administration. He urged other college boards across Virginia to stick to their appointed roles of overseeing those who run their colleges and back them to the hilt. "If you're on a board, you have to have the back of your president and stand strong," Kaine said. He likened the move to a test of loyalty to the Trump Administration. "It's like they now have a pelt and they are proud of it," Kaine said. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Virginia, said in a statement that the move by the administration goes against every foundation on which UVA was built. 'Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia to serve as a bastion of academic freedom for students to engage in intellectual curiosity without fear of censorship or retaliation. He viewed education as a shield against tyranny," McClellan said. "The bullying of his beloved university by President Trump and his Justice Department are the exact brand of government overreach he feared. University leaders should be accountable to the university community and its governing bodies, not subjected to political pressure from the president of the United States.' More: Augusta County residents speak out against Pride event cancellation — Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@ or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI. This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: UVA president resigns under pressure from Donald Trump, per reports
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘I'm leaving here with my head held high': community celebration held for outgoing VMI superintendent
LEXINGTON, Va. (WFXR) — First Baptist Church in Lexington hosted a community celebration for outgoing VMI superintendent Major General Cedric T. Wins on Sunday afternoon. Wins was the school's first African American superintendent and its 15th overall, holding the position since 2021. A 1985 graduate of the Institute, the community gathered to reflect on Wins' accomplishments across those four years at the helm of his alma mater. 'I'm just a little humbled by it and overwhelmed at the same time,' said Wins. 'I guess it shows that people really do feel like we had an opportunity to make a difference.' 'The community wanted to come together and tell him and show him how much they appreciated him,' said First Baptist Church pastor Rev. McKinley Williams. 'Regardless of a board vote, it wasn't reflective of the community.' Wins will step away from his post on June 30, after the school's Board of Visitors voted 10-6 against renewing his contract in February. Following the decision, then board president John Adams released the following statement: 'The BOV is supremely grateful to Major General Wins for his service to the Institute during some very difficult times. The foundation he has provided us will ensure VMI continues to fulfill its vital mission of educating future leaders. We would also like to extend our thanks to Mrs. Cassandra Wins for her support of VMI.' WFXR reached out to incoming board president Col. James Inman for comment following Sunday's event but have not yet received a response. The decision to part ways came as a surprise to Wins, who felt he had put VMI on the right track during his tenure. 'Obviously yes, there was some disappointment,' he said. 'But I tend to look at things on the bright side. I'm a half full kind of guy. And I know that when one door closes, another one will open.' Wins was known for his diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at the school, particularly after a state report said VMI failed to address institutional racism and sexism. His efforts faced pushback from some conservative alumni. 'I'm leaving here with my head certainly held high, feeling as though I was able to accomplish some things in a short period of time,' Wins said. The Board of Visitors passed a resolution in May granting Wins the status of superintendent emeritus, applauding his work in leading the Institute through the COVID-19 pandemic, reversing declining enrollment trends, and increasing school funding. VMI's Board of Visitors says it is continuing the search for its next superintendent. Brigadier General Dallas Clark will replace Wins on July 1 in an interim capacity. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Virginia Tech Board of Visitors vote to dissolve Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Office
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WFXR) – President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February, demanding that the public and private sectors eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.) based policies to promote civil rights for all Americans. This meant dissolving the Office of Inclusive Strategy and Excellence at Virginia Tech. In response, hundreds of people gathered outside Burruss Hall for an organized protest, asking the Board of Visitors not to vote in favor of this. They all marched around campus to make their voices heard. 'We have to protest, we have to stand up, and we have to try to fight for humanity, and love, and people,' Ryleigh Brown, a Sociology major at Virginia Tech who was involved in the protest, said. 'I'm here to fight for humanity.' The March ended outside the Inn hotel, shortly before the Board of Visitors meeting inside the Latham Ballroom. Democratic Gov. Beshear vetoes GOP bill aimed at dismantling DEI efforts in public universities Rector Edward Baine and other board members opposed the move, saying this would take a step back in the inclusion process. Still, the board voted to pass the order. 'At the end of the day, the resolution says we have to be compliant (with the law), and we always have been,' University spokesperson Mark Owczarski said. 'We have to make sure that we remain compliant in the face of evolving and changing law.' Owczarski said the university will continue to pursue alternate ways going forward to help people feel included. '152 years ago, we were founded to make available to those who seek it, a Virginia Tech education,' he said. 'That fundamental element of our mission has not and will not change.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
